Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
What was the first telephone made out of?
1 Answer
Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone was made of an iron diaphragm, two electromagnets and a horseshoe magnet. The next model featured a transmitter and receiver but was still a magnetic telephone. Eventually, modifications were made to improve the quality, but it’s essentially this technology and the magnet that made original telephones possible. Shop a collection of antique telephones from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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Shop for Bakelite Telephone on 1stDibs
Mid-Century Black Bakelite Telephone Table Lamp, 1950
Located in Florence, IT
Mid-Century black Bakelite telephone table lamp by Safnat Milano.
The telephone has chromed
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
White 1930s Glamour Bakelite Telephone by Bell Systems
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage white bakelite 1930s glamor telephone made by Bell Systems for the Western Electric company
Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver and Bakelite Telephone Child's Toy Baby Rattle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique figural telephone child's baby rattle is presumed to have been made in the United
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Toys and Dolls
Materials
Sterling Silver
White Bakelite PTT Telephone by Ericsson
By Ericsson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage white Swedish Bakelite rotary table phone by Ericsson, circa 1950.
Measures 6" H x 9" W
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Antique Western Electric Bell System Crank Telephone Oak Case Bakelite Ringer
By Western Electric
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique early 1900s Western Electric / bell systems oak wall mounted hand crank telephone ringer
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Bakelite, Oak
Old French Telephone From Train Station In Cast Aluminum, Brass And Bakelite
Located in Crespières, FR
Old French train station telephone in cast aluminium and bakelite with the SNCF microphone and logo
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Brackets
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
